Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Simplecast VS Buzzsprout

Compare Simplecast VS Buzzsprout and see what are their differences

Simplecast logo Simplecast

Say hello to the modern independent podcast management platform.

Buzzsprout logo Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a leading Podcast platform that allows you to enjoy, host, promote and track your own podcast.
  • Simplecast Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-11
  • Buzzsprout Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-09

Simplecast features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Simplecast offers a straightforward and intuitive user interface, making it accessible for beginners to navigate and manage their podcasts easily.
  • Advanced Analytics
    The platform provides detailed analytics and insights about listener behavior, helping podcasters understand their audience better and tailor content accordingly.
  • Reliable Hosting
    Simplecast offers reliable and scalable hosting solutions, ensuring that podcasts are delivered smoothly to listeners without interruptions.
  • Embeddable Player
    It offers an embeddable podcast player that is customizable, allowing for easy sharing and integration on websites or blogs.
  • Distribution to Major Platforms
    Simplecast facilitates easy distribution to major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others, increasing reach and visibility.

Possible disadvantages of Simplecast

  • Cost
    Simplecast can be relatively expensive compared to some other podcast hosting services, which might be a consideration for those on a tight budget.
  • Limited Free Plan
    It does not offer a fully-featured free plan, which might deter new podcasters who want to start without any initial investment.
  • Overwhelming Features
    While advanced features are available, they might be overwhelming for users who prefer a minimalistic approach or do not need extensive analytics.

Buzzsprout features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Buzzsprout offers an intuitive and clean interface, making it easy for users to upload, manage, and distribute their podcasts, even for beginners.
  • Free Plan Available
    Buzzsprout provides a free plan that allows users to publish up to 2 hours of content per month, giving new podcasters a risk-free option to start.
  • Advanced Analytics
    The platform offers detailed analytics to help podcasters understand their audience, including metrics like number of downloads, listener location, and more.
  • Multiple Distribution Channels
    Buzzsprout simplifies the syndication process by distributing your podcast to major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more with just a few clicks.
  • Dynamic Content Insertion
    Users can insert dynamic content, like advertisements or announcements, across their entire podcast library without needing to re-upload episodes.
  • Monetization Options
    Buzzsprout offers opportunities for monetization through listener support and affiliate marketplaces, providing various revenue streams for podcasters.
  • Free Podcast Website
    Every account comes with a free podcast website, enabling users to create a central hub for their content without needing additional web hosting services.
  • Integration with Tools
    Buzzsprout integrates with various third-party tools and services like social media schedulers, transcription services, and more, to streamline your podcasting workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Buzzsprout

  • Limited Storage on Free Plan
    The free plan only provides 2 hours of upload time per month, which might not be sufficient for podcasters looking to release content more frequently.
  • Content Deletion Policy
    Episodes uploaded under the free plan are only hosted for 90 days. After that, they must be upgraded to a paid plan or will be deleted.
  • Higher Cost for Additional Features
    Advanced features, such as unlimited storage, advanced stats, and Magic Mastering, can only be accessed through higher-tier paid plans, which may not be affordable for everyone.
  • Storage Cap on Paid Plans
    Even the paid plans come with specific monthly upload limits, such as 3 hours on the lowest paid tier ($12/month), which can be restrictive for active podcasters.
  • No Video Podcasting Support
    Buzzsprout focuses solely on audio podcasting and does not offer support for video podcast content, which might be a drawback for podcasters looking to diversify their content format.
  • Limited Customization
    Although a free website is provided, customization options are somewhat limited compared to using dedicated website builders, which might stifle creative flexibility.
  • RSS Feed Ownership
    Buzzsprout manages your RSS feed, which means some aspects of control are out of the user's hands, potentially complicating matters if you ever decide to switch hosting services.

Analysis of Buzzsprout

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Buzzsprout is considered a strong choice for those looking for a straightforward and effective podcast hosting solution. Its reputation for excellent customer support and continuous feature updates makes it a reliable platform for podcasters.

Why this product is good

  • Buzzsprout is a popular podcast hosting platform known for its user-friendly interface, reliable hosting, and helpful features for both new and experienced podcasters. It offers seamless integration with major podcast directories, advanced analytics to track performance, and dynamic ad insertion. Additionally, Buzzsprout provides detailed resources and support to aid in launching and growing a podcast.

Recommended for

  • New podcasters seeking an easy-to-navigate platform
  • Experienced podcasters looking for robust analytics
  • Podcasters seeking integration with multiple directories
  • Creators interested in monetizing through dynamic ads

Simplecast videos

Simplecast: Tutorial and Walkthrough

More videos:

  • Review - Simplecast.fm Podcast Media Host Reviewed
  • Review - Top Podcast Hosting Sites 2019 (Simplecast, Libsyn, Podbean, Buzzsprout, Spreaker)

Buzzsprout videos

Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting Platform Review

More videos:

  • Review - Buzzsprout Review & Walkthrough (2020)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Simplecast and Buzzsprout)
Podcast Tools
33 33%
67% 67
Podcast Hosting
30 30%
70% 70
Podcast Platform
42 42%
58% 58
Podcasts
40 40%
60% 60

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Simplecast and Buzzsprout

Simplecast Reviews

10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms In 2022 – Review & Comparisons
Simplecast’s free trial is for 14 days, and that will give you carte blanche to explore it’s interface and features. That is until you want to actually publish an episode at which point, you’ll need to select a paid plan. Plans begin at $15/month if paying month-to-month or $13.50 if paying annually.
Source: rss.com
23 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms in 2022 (Free and Cheap)A Collection and Review of the Top Platforms to Host Your Podcast
Simplecast is a close contender for the top spot amongst the best podcast hosting platforms, so it was a tough decision to rank them second on this list—but the deciding factor was that Buzzsprout offers a free starter plan and Simplecast doesn’t (though they do offer a 14-day free trial here). However, Simplecast is used by many global brands to host their podcasts—and I...
Source: www.ryrob.com

Buzzsprout Reviews

10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms In 2022 – Review & Comparisons
Buzzsprout’s plans range from $12/month for up to 3 hours of audio uploaded per month to $24 per month for up to 12 hours uploaded per month. Optional add-on features for paid accounts include MagicMastering – audio filtering, and transcription at $0.25/minute.
Source: rss.com
23 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms in 2022 (Free and Cheap)A Collection and Review of the Top Platforms to Host Your Podcast
While Buzzsprout’s paid plans start at $12.00/mo for their podcast hosting and PodBean begins at $9.00/mo, the feature set and support you’ll get from Buzzsprout is a level above what I’ve experienced on PodBean. Buzzsprout is also built more with features that are designed to grow & scale with your show over time—like quickly listing your podcast on every popular listening...
Source: www.ryrob.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Buzzsprout might be a bit more popular than Simplecast. We know about 2 links to it since March 2021 and only 2 links to Simplecast. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Simplecast mentions (2)

  • An AOLP Recording Process
    There are plenty of podcast hosting services that are cheaper or free (Buzzsprout, Podbean, Anchor, Simplecast, etc.) so do some research and figure out what's best for you! Source: over 3 years ago
  • Best Paid Hosting Site
    When we launched our podcast Slice By Slice 65 episodes ago we did a lot of research on what host we wanted and we landed on https://simplecast.com/. Source: almost 4 years ago

Buzzsprout mentions (2)

  • Tips for starters
    1.) An idea that's fleshed out. What do you want to talk about? Why? How will your show be different than the hundreds of thousands of other shows out there. 2.) Equipment. ie a mic, something to record to and good headset so that you can listen. 3.) Edit software. There's a range of stuff available from free to really expensive. We use Audacity which is free and it does the job. 4.) a host site. We use... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Submitting a podcasts to multiple directories/players at once
    A lot of hosting solutions will do this for you, like Buzzsprout. I personally use it for mine. So damn easy. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Simplecast and Buzzsprout, you can also consider the following products

Podbean - A better way to discover and play all your favorite podcasts anywhere, anytime.

Acast - All in one solution for podcast creators and listeners 🎙

Spreaker - Spreaker website is a broadcasting studio that you will be able to move around with easily. The website provides users access to their podcast and live radio with the Spreaker Studio feature. Read more about Spreaker.

Transistor.fm - Podcast hosting and analytics for creatives: start unlimited shows 🎙️

Podomatic - PodOmatic hosts the world's largest community of Podcasters and DJ's with over 5 million...

Anchor.fm - Record bite-sized podcasts that anyone can join ⚓